Issue with New Security Scanners

[RachelEllen]

No...not the issue you are thinking of!

But, based on my experience today, I'm curious how other folks handle this. We were in Miami and the new scanners were in full operation. They are much slower than the metal detectors. Now, whenever I go through the smetal detector, I'm usually very careful not to send my stuff through the X-ray until I'm clear to go through the X-ray. Especially when I am alone, I don't want to be trapped on one side of the metal detector while my computer, wallet, jewelry, etc, are sitting on the other side. Today, however, there was a long, like 5 minute back-up of people to get through the scanner. The TSA folks insisted that I run my stuff through and then get in the line to wait for the body scanner. (Which is kind of silly, honestly, not like it speeds things up overall to have a pile of stuff waiting on the other side of the scanner) I politely asked to wait the first two times I was asked, but then they insisted.

Anyone else have this problem? Any ideas how to handle?

 

[popgfd]

My first experience was at MCO and i wasn't very happy.

DW uses an ECV and the TSA person told her to walk thru the scanner.then she walked away and i followed the TSA (her) to say my wife doesn't walk very far and is unstable.

in turn they told me to go thru the body scanner which was OK but i had my wife's wallet in my back pocket with my own. this caused a problem so i had to take out the wallets then get in the line and be groped. Again not so bad until the first pain -in the-A TSA person comes back and tells me she's taking my wallets.

one guy tells me to look forward and this person proceeds to walk away with both wallets with a lot of cash in them and i raised hell.

i demanded a supervisor and a third TSA guy came over to ask about the problem. i pointed the person with my wallets, credit cards, license and cash disappearing in a line. this guy ran and grabbed my wallets while the supervisor came over and gave me a ration. he saws my wallets and immediately understood why i was complaining loudly. then he apologized

i asked him what if there is money or cc's missing and his answer was i could sign a complaint but basically it was tough s---.

Several TSA people were listening to the conversation and came over to assure me nothing could have happened with a couple of them saying i should have been groped and then be able to watch the wallets going back thru the scanner.

all worked out and my wife was pleased that i didn't get arrested. i didn't mind the scanner; i wasn't too happy about this guy grabbing the boys (but i did move as he approached that area) to get my wallets returned and all ended well.

i told the supervisor my wife is disabled, we are both 60 and dressed in Disney garb and i didn't think i fit the normal profile. i think with the exception of the first TSA woman who had a real attitude, the rest did a fine job given the circumstances getting me out of there.

Pop

 

[Cherinva]

I had that experience here where I live in December. I didn't mind my stuff going ahead of me, as I could see it and kept my eyes on it (besides our money was tucked into small places on our bodies)...however, my DGD went through the scanner first and for some reason the TSA agent decided to pat her down...I didn't like this a bit...I looked at her, and politely told her that she is a minor and I didn't want her touched...she was nice but did it anyway and told me that I could stand close and watch and she told me exactly where she would be touching her...my DD was behind me and was furious....I told her that I would handle it...after DGD was done, I went though and don't you know she had to pat me down too...I think she did it just for spite, because I said something about my DGD.....

I fully understand why they are doing this and if it keeps us safer, then ok...But it is my understanding that they are not to touch minors.....

 

[bumbershoot]

I fully understand why they are doing this and if it keeps us safer, then ok...But it is my understanding that they are not to touch minors.....

I believe they were saying no *enhanced* patdowns for minors. Not NO patdowns. If they flat out didn't do ANY patdowns for minors, wouldn't the bad guys just recruit teenagers???

 

[Hannathy]

I believe they were saying no *enhanced* patdowns for minors. Not NO patdowns. If they flat out didn't do ANY patdowns for minors, wouldn't the bad guys just recruit teenagers???

Minors have been getting pattted down long before the new scanners.
My DD was patted down shortly after 9/11 when she was in elementary school.
Remember when they would randomly select a certain number for extra scrutiny well she was picked one flight.

Don't understand the big deal or the problem with it.

 

[goofy4tink]

I had that experience here where I live in December. I didn't mind my stuff going ahead of me, as I could see it and kept my eyes on it (besides our money was tucked into small places on our bodies)...however, my DGD went through the scanner first and for some reason the TSA agent decided to pat her down...I didn't like this a bit...I looked at her, and politely told her that she is a minor and I didn't want her touched...she was nice but did it anyway and told me that I could stand close and watch and she told me exactly where she would be touching her...my DD was behind me and was furious....I told her that I would handle it...after DGD was done, I went though and don't you know she had to pat me down too...I think she did it just for spite, because I said something about my DGD.....

I fully understand why they are doing this and if it keeps us safer, then ok...But it is my understanding that they are not to touch minors.....

Did you really have money secreted on your body??? If so, you have no reason to complain about being looked at more closely.
My dd had several instances where she was patted down while a minor...she is still only 17..and it wasn't an issue. Sounds like the TSA employee actually did a good job with your DGD.

This is the big reason I don't carry a lot of cash or valuables with me when I travel. My credit cards and any cash I have go into my carryon bag, way at the bottome, folded up in something else. It would make it very difficult for someone to take it that way.

 

[dudspizza]

This is the big reason I don't carry a lot of cash or valuables with me when I travel. My credit cards and any cash I have go into my carryon bag, way at the bottome, folded up in something else. It would make it very difficult for someone to take it that way.

I do a similar thing. I place my wallet, keys, cell phone, etc in a zipped pocket of my carry on before ever getting to the checkpoint line. I never leave anything loose in the bin.

 

[SilverMickey]

I do a similar thing. I place my wallet, keys, cell phone, etc in a zipped pocket of my carry on before ever getting to the checkpoint line. I never leave anything loose in the bin.

I do the same thing... and carry my license and boarding pass with me in my hand through the scanner/detector. (I don't know why but I'm afraid I will get separated from things and not have proof of who I am)

 

[seashoreCM]

\in turn they told me to go thru the body scanner which was OK but i had my wife's wallet in my back pocket with my own. this caused a problem so i had to take out the wallets then get in the line and be groped. Again not so bad until the first pain -in the-A TSA person comes back and tells me she's taking my wallets.

one guy tells me to look forward and this person proceeds to walk away with both wallets with a lot of cash in them and i raised hell.

i demanded a supervisor and a third TSA guy came over to ask about the problem. i pointed the person with my wallets, credit cards, license and cash disappearing in a line. this guy ran and grabbed my wallets while the supervisor came over and gave me a ration.
he saws my wallets and immediately understood why i was complaining loudly. then he apologized

i asked him what if there is money or cc's missing and his answer was i could sign a complaint but basically it was tough s---.

Several TSA people were listening to the conversation and came over to assure me nothing could have happened with a couple of them saying i should have been groped and then be able to watch the wallets going back thru the scanner.
p

Who's who?

Another reason to have and use credit cards instead of cash.

When you put stuff in a suitcase just before going through the checkpoint, lock the suitcase.

On another forum I won't name, someone suggested bringing along extra things and electronics to keep the kids more docile on the plane. Given the hassle descriibed here I should not bring that stuff if that is the only reason for doing so.

 

[2binak]

I do a similar thing. I place my wallet, keys, cell phone, etc in a zipped pocket of my carry on before ever getting to the checkpoint line. I never leave anything loose in the bin.

We do this too. We just tuck everything into our carryons so that when we're through the detectors & any patdowns, we just grab our bags and go. Once we get settled near the gate, we take out anything we will need for the flight.

I do the same thing... and carry my license and boarding pass with me in my hand through the scanner/detector. (I don't know why but I'm afraid I will get separated from things and not have proof of who I am)

It's always good to have your license on you as you go through the detectors. I have surgical metal implants and always set off the detectors, resulting in the patdown. TSA asks to see my boarding pass & license before they do the patdown.